Can a foreigner receive family benefits in France?

Verified 16 October 2026 - Public Service / (Prime Minister)

If you are a foreigner, you can receive family benefits (family allowances, early childcare...) under certain conditions. Indeed, you must reside with your family in France and respect special conditions related to your stay. We explain the regulations you need to know.

The situation varies depending on whether you are a citizen of an EU country(EEE) or Switzerland, refugee, stateless person, Algerian national or in another situation:

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You are a national of an EEE country or Switzerland

You must complete the 4 conditions to receive family benefits in France:

  • Be able to justify your right to stay, in particular as worker, inactive or student
  • Reside in France
  • Have at least 1 dependent child residing in France
  • Except if you have a document or residence permit allowing you to exercise a professional activity, provide proof of the regularity of the entry of your children in France. Be careful, if you live in Mayotte, this proof is required in all cases.

You are Algerian

You must complete the 4 conditions to receive family benefits in France:

  • Be in stay regular
  • Reside in France
  • Have at least one dependent child residing in France
  • Except if you have a document or residence permit allowing you to exercise a professional activity, provide proof of the regularity of the entry of your children in France. Be careful, if you live in Mayotte, this proof is required in all cases.

For justify the regularity of your stay and benefit from family benefits, you can present for example the renewal request receipt your residence permit or other document (example: resident certificate Algerian national).

You are a refugee or stateless person

You must complete the 4 conditions to receive family benefits in France:

  • Be in stay regular
  • Reside in France
  • Have at least one dependent child residing in France
  • Except if you have a document or residence permit allowing you to exercise a professional activity, provide proof of the regularity of the entry of your children in France. Be careful, if you live in Mayotte, this proof is required in all cases.

For justify the regularity of your stay, you must submit one of the documents following:

  • Receipt for an application for a residence permit bearing the words ‘  recognized as a refugee’
  • Receipt for an application for a residence permit bearing the words ‘foreigners admitted to stay on grounds of asylum’
  • Receipt for an application for a residence permit bearing the words ‘ has been granted subsidiary protection’ with the decision granting such protection.

You're in a different situation

You must complete the 4 conditions to receive family benefits in France:

  • Be in stay regular
  • Reside in France
  • Have at least one dependent child residing in France
  • Except if you have a document or residence permit allowing you to exercise a professional activity, provide proof of the regularity of the entry of your children in France. Be careful, if you live in Mayotte, this proof is required in all cases.

For justify the regularity of your stay, you must submit one of the following documents:

  • Long-stay visa as a residence permit (VLS-TS) or renewal application receipt
  • Resident card or of temporary stay or renewal application receipt
  • Residence permit issued pursuant to the Convention signed between the French Republic, the Kingdom of Spain and the Principality of Andorra or receipt of application for renewal
  • Residence permit " skills and talents » or renewal application receipt
  • Provisional authorization to stay for more than 3 months
  • Special booklet, booklet or circulation log
  • Monegasque passport bearing a mention of the Consul General of France in Monaco as a residence permit.

Warning  

If you are detached, specific rules exist.

Most of the time, family benefits are subject to income conditions. Thus, above a certain income threshold, either the family is no longer entitled to it or the amount of benefits paid is lower.

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